The Basics of a Wood Pellet Stove
A pellet stove is heated with wood pellets. Pellets are purchased in bags before being poured into an hopper that is controlled by a thermometer. The stove is equipped with a fan which blows warm air into the room.
They can be used in virtually any home. It's important to consider the physical characteristics of your house, including the ceiling's height.
Efficiency
The efficiency of a pellet stove is dependent on the quality of the heating pellets used. Premium-grade Pellets have less than 1% Ash content, and lower grade pellets could contain up to 6 percent Ash. The best pellets are made of recycled sawdust and other wood products. As a result, they are a green option for home heating. They also don't create creosote that can ignite in chimneys. However, the ash produced by pellet stoves could be harmful to pets as well as children.
A wood pellet stove uses an auger that transports the pellets to a chamber where they are then ignited to create heat. Sensors monitor air pressure and temperature. When the sensor signals that more fuel is needed, the auger feeds more pellets into the combustion chamber. The hot air is sent through a heat-exchanger to a blower, which distributes it throughout your home by convection.
A pellet stove makes use of fans and electricity in addition to burning wood. They can be vented via a direct vent system or through an external chimney or duct. Indirect vent systems are usually employed in new houses with open floor plans while venting through a chimney is preferred for older homes with existing fireplaces.
Pellet stoves are a great alternative to traditional wood-burning stoves, and have numerous advantages. They are more efficient, require less upkeep, and have a lower carbon footprint. They also are quieter than traditional stoves. However, they aren't as efficient as gas stoves.
Wood pellet stoves can be found in freestanding models and inserts that fit inside existing fireplaces. They can be used to heat a room, or even a whole home. They are ideal for open floor designs. They can also be used to heat smaller homes that have less heating requirements.
Wood pellet stoves are powered by electricity to control their internal mechanisms, such as the auger and the fan that blows air through the combustion chamber. Due to this, they can be affected by power outages. good pellet stoves 'll need an alternative heating solution in the case of a power outage. The plug is an ordinary 3-prong plug. You'll also need to make sure that the outlet is in good working condition prior to using it. Additionally, pellet stoves can produce a large amount of clinker and ash which need to be cleaned regularly. The materials can be removed with a metal vacuum cleaner.
Cost
The wood pellet stove is a fantastic alternative to traditional fireplaces. They are more affordable to run than gas or oil furnaces and offer greater flexibility when it comes to heating your home. However, there are pellet stove fireplace insert and ongoing costs to think about before purchasing pellet stoves. The cost of buying and installing the pellet stove is determined by the size of the stove as well as its complexity and the requirements for labor, as well as your area's pricing for fuel and professional installation.
Wood pellet stoves can be purchased as freestanding models, or as inserts to be inserted into existing fireplaces. Both models have advantages and are able to accommodate a range of budgets as well as freestanding pellet stoves typically priced between $1,000 and $5,000.
Fuel is the main cost of pellet stoves. It will cost you anywhere from $35-$50 per month for pellets, based on the heating requirements of your home and the price in your area for pellets. A bag of pellets that weighs 40 pounds will burn for 24 hours and produce enough heat to warm 1000 square feet of space.
Pellet stoves utilize an automated screw auger to deliver pellets into the burner, which in turn ignites the pellets and creates a powerful fire. The flames, when they move across the heat exchanger create warmth and hot circulating air in your home by a blower. A fan ejects the gases that ignite your stove to ensure an optimum and safe temperature within your home.
You will also have to pay for electricity to power the motorized hopper which will feed pellets to the stove, and the heater itself. The majority of pellet stoves require 360 to 460 watts of electricity to ignite and 80 to 345 Watts per hour to keep the flame. If you live in a place susceptible to frequent outages of power, it might be worthwhile to consider adding an emergency generator or battery.
Remember that pellet stoves need regular maintenance to ensure they are working properly. This includes cleaning the ash pan frequently as well as cleaning the flue and surrounding vents every three to four months, and obtaining a an inspection by a professional once a year. Installing an alarm for carbon monoxide near the stove is also recommended. This safety device will notify you of the dangers of CO levels in your home.
Maintenance
Wood pellet stoves are more convenient to use, but they still need some maintenance. Keeping the stove clean is essential for safety and efficiency. To ensure comfort and avoid overheating, it is important to regularly check the temperature of the room and adjust the heating settings. A thermometer is a great tool for checking the temperature. Some models have temperature control features that let you set a specific target room temperature. This helps you avoid overheating or wasting fuel.
While many wood stoves and fireplaces require a chimney system to vent their exhaust, pellet stoves usually only need a blower that connects the heat exchanger to an exhaust pipe or tube. The vent could be a part of your roof or through the side walls of your home. A professional installer can assist you in determining the best exhaust method for your home's design and stove type.
Pellet stoves also produce very less ash, making them more maintenance-friendly as opposed to traditional fireplaces or wood stoves. The amount of ash produced is contingent on the quality of the pellets as well as how often you use the stove. The frequency of deep cleaning can be reduced by regularly emptying the ashpan and cleaning the exhaust pipe. Ash can also be used for other projects, including soil amendment, architectural material or seed germination.
A wood pellet stove is a good option for those who wish to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and the associated environmental damage. They are a great alternative for those who cannot afford to replace their heating system. Many retailers which sell pellet stoves offer service contracts in the purchase process. This includes annual inspections as well as an extensive cleaning.
While the weekly cleaning can be done yourself, annual inspections and deep-cleaning should be left up to a professional. The professional will inspect the stove and perform an entire checklist of cleaning. The blower will be cleaned along with the exhaust pipe and drop tube path. The baffles will also be cleaned and removed. The ESP sensor and air passages will also be cleaned. You can save money by having a an annual maintenance appointment by reducing the number of repairs and replacement parts.
Installation
Installation of a pellet stove requires the installation of a few parts. The first step is to install a fireproof mat where the stove will be. Then, the exhaust system must be connected. This will require an SS chimney liner that directs fumes away from the home. A vent cap is required. The most effective vent caps are made of rust-resistant, high-temperature stainless steel and are available in various colors.
Venting system is a crucial component. It transports fine ash and water vapor outside. It is essential to prevent leaks and keep your home clean and safe. One way to avoid these issues is to use only pipes specifically made for pellet stoves and is labeled as such.
Some manufacturers suggest using a properly sized stainless steel chimney liner that extends the length of the exhaust pipe to ensure proper drafting and decrease the pressure inside the home. These guidelines are important since modern construction techniques create homes that are sealed which can negatively impact draft.
You can purchase a pre-packaged exhaust system that consists of the chimney liner made of stainless steel and vent cap from many wood stove dealers. However, it is recommended to hire a professional for installation. These experts can assist you in selecting the best size of stove for your home. They will visit your home and consider the factors that affect your heating requirements, such as, the layout of your room, and ceiling height. They will also offer suggestions on how many BTUs are required to heat your home.
Pellet stoves can be measured according to the amount of BTUs per hour they produce. In general, you should choose one that can produce around 5,000 BTUs for every 200 square feet of living space. It doesn't mean one model is the best for your home. The amount of heat stoves can generate will be influenced by other elements, including the ceiling height and the open floor plan. Most dealers also have a range of models to meet varying heat output needs.